Ayomikun Youngest Peace Ambassador in Nigeria

 Ayomikun Omoyiola, a pupil of Queensland Academy, Okota- Lagos, earned the honorary status of Peace Ambassador from the Federal Government for her painting titled Peace in the midst of a Storm (acrylic on white cardboard). The articulate 10-year-old Kwara State indigene talks about inspiration for the painting, books and being a role model to her peers in this interview culled from nigeriacentenaryblog.com

What inspired “Peace in the midst of the Storm” and how long did it take you to paint it?

The painting took me about three hours at home. I used to watch news on the television and listen to radio too. So I hear a lot of things happening in Nigeria: the bombings, violence, kidnapping and rape, pipeline vandalism, lack of power supply and insecurity too. I see all these as a storm and challenges we’re facing in this country and I made the painting titled “Peace in the midst of the Storm”.

Interpret the painting and tell us why you chose each symbol to depict your message

‘Peace in the midst of the Storm’ is an acrylic painting done on a white cardboard. In the work you will see a white dove flying with the Nigeria flag in its beak. On the dove’s neck is a golden necklace too. At the background is a blue colour and scribbles of black and red colours. The white dove symbolises peace while the golden beads on its neck show the wealth of Nigeria; the orange colour on the small stick in the Nigeria flag means endurance and creativity; the green on the Nigerian flag show development and growth; while the white on the flag means peace. The blue background shows gloom and depression while the scribbles of black and red shows the storm that Nigeria is going through, storms like kidnapping, violence, insecurity, poverty, lack of adequate power supply, child abuse and many other bad things that is happening in Nigeria.

What happens when there is peace? There will be joy, human rights will be respected, and there will be love amongst Nigerians irrespective of the tribes, ethnicity and religion. There will also be development and Nigeria will be a great country to live in. I choose the symbols because they are picture of what is happening in Nigeria. They are what I have seen on the news and read in the newspapers. I am saying we should all allow peace to reign in Nigeria.

How did you know you had the gift of an artist?

When I was about age four, I used to make drawings on papers and show it to my parents who encouraged me. Then while I got to school, my friends and people around also said I had a special gift in art. Last August, my parents employed Mr. Adewale Joel to be my art teacher and he would come to our house on weekends to tutor me. Since then my art has become stronger and far better than the ones I made before now.

Have you painted other works? If yes, tell us a bit about them?

Yes, I have painted other works like ‘Adesewa’, ‘Deep Things’, Apple of God’s Eye, ‘Celebration’, ‘The Rain is Here’, ‘Dem dey do Shakara’, ‘Just Gisting’,’ Iya Ni Wura’and others I can’t remember now. I have about 22 large paintings in my portfolio. All of them are done in acrylic on a white cardboard.

Tell us a bit about these works and what inspired you to paint them

‘Adesewa’ talks about the beauty of the African woman and her cultural heritage; ‘Apple of God’s eye’ talk about the protection God has for his children so they are not harmed by wicked people. ‘Celebration’ talks about moment of joy created by a drummer with a gan gan drum. ‘The Rain is here’ talks about floods and challenges that people face in the rainy season. When it rains, it affects the rich and poor, children and adults, young and old too. ‘Dem dey do shakara’ is a story of three girls who are dressed in flashy clothes trying to impress people around their neighbourhood; while ‘Iya Ni Wura’ talks about the value of a great mother. Mothers are precious jewels. I love parents and I love my mother; ‘Iya Ni Wura’ is a painting I did to appreciate African women, our mothers.

Why have you chosen to paint all your works on acrylic on white cardboard; do you plan to embrace painting on other mediums in the future?

Well, I started with drawings and moved on to wax crayons, poster-colours and oil pastels. I think I enjoyed working with acrylic because it is water based; it dries faster and makes my work look beautiful and bright. Yes, I want to paint on canvas with oil paints. Also I want to make mixed media painting and collage too.

What other subjects/theme do you plan to paint in the near future?

Well, let’s say themes like health issues on (HIV/ AIDS, malaria, and cancer), culture, motherhood, environment, festivals, child abuse and so many others depending on what is happening around me.

Now that you are a ‘peace ambassador’, how do you do feel?

I feel so great and I thank God because it was God who made it possible for me to receive the award and also my supportive parents Mr. and Mrs. Omoyiola. I also thank ‘Nigeria Centenary’ for the award.

You are on vacation now; after resumption how do you think your teachers and classmates would react to your new status as a Peace Ambassador?

Before receiving this award and having won many awards within the school and art competitions among international schools, many of my classmates have seen me as someone they can look up to for guidance when it comes to creating works of art. My teachers in school believe in me and my creative ability. Now that I have been made a ‘Peace Ambassador’, I will be given more opportunities to promote the good image of the school. I will also participate in more art competitions and exhibitions in Nigeria. My new status will be used to promote peace amongst my fellow pupils who are from other religions and ethnic groups too. I know the school will award for me been a good ambassador also.

When you first learned that you had been invited to the awards ceremony how did you feel?

I was happy and joyous. I was also scared at the same time because I have never boarded flight before.

What do you do in your spare time?

I read story books, newspapers, ride bicycle or play with my friends. I read novels, I draw and paint.

Apart from school texts, what types of books do you read and which book have you enjoyed reading the most?

I’m a bookworm. I have read Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Adichie and other books but I think I enjoyed The Far Away Tree by Enid Blyton. It is a kind of mystery book on how children explore a magical wood. It is adventurous and interesting too.

When will you begin to paint the artwork for the president and what will the painting be about?

By God’s grace by August, I should start working on the painting I want to present to the President; it will still be about peace. The theme will still be peace but the title will be ‘United We Stand’. I want to make a work that will help us to have peace with collective efforts. It will be a better version of the first painting I presented to the SGF, Senator Pius Anyim at the Centenary Award.

What would you like to be when you grow up?

I will like to be a successful artist and I will also like to be involved in other disciplines which I have not decided now.

What would you like to say to children your age who have talent like yourself

I will like to tell them to discover their talents and participate in extra curricula activities in schools. I will tell them to use their talents to promote the good image of this country. It may be in music, drama, writing, speech or sciences too. We must tell the world Nigeria is the best country in the world and we are blessed with great talents. I will also tell them to work hard and have a mentor too. Because of my art mentor Mr. Joel, my art has improved and I have visited to many great places. They should never give up on their dreams no matter what is happening.